Smart Meter Testing

This in the US from:

http://bakersfield.craigslist.org/com/1671232929.html

Testing Methodology

In order to evaluate the load at Mr. Jackson's home, the determination was made to use the Mega Beast, which provides a known kW load. The industry standard formula below was used to determine the time in minutes to use 1 kWh:

t= 1 kWh x kW (60)

The mega beast was connected in a manner that the meter would not register any load except the load applied by the mega beast. The mega beast applies a resistive load and we can safely assume a power factor of 1. Before the tests began, XXXXXX tested for any other load on the service and found none.

Timing was conducted using a wrist watch with a second hand.

Findings

The following data was collected:

Test 1 on Smart Meter # 73817844 (Landis & Gyr type ALF) Applying 92.5 amps at 120 volts results in a 11.1 KW load. With this given load, it should take 5.5 minutes to use 1 kWh Observed Time: 2 minutes to use 1 kWh

Test 2 on Smart Meter # 73817844 (Landis & Gyr type ALF) Applying 91.6 amps at 119 volts results in a 10.9 KW load. With this given load, it should take 5.5 minutes to use 1 kWh Observed Time: 2 minutes to use 1 kWh

The mechanical meter was then tested.

Test 1 on mechanical meter # 80216618(Landis & Gyr MX cyclometer type mechanical) Applying 91.4 amps at 120 volts results in a 10.9 KW load. With this given load, it should take 5.5 minutes to use 1 kWh Observed Time: it took 5 minutes to use 1 kWh

Test 2 on mechanical meter # 80216618(Landis & Gyr MX cyclometer type mechanical) Applying 91.0 amps at 119 volts results in a 10.8 KW load. With this given load, it should take 5.5 minutes to use 1 kWh Observed Time: 5 minutes to use 1 kWh

A second Smart Meter was then tested. Test 1 on second Smart Meter # 93394135 (Landis & Gyr type ALF) Applying 91.0 amps at 119 volts results in a 10.8 KW load. With this given load, it should take 5.5 minutes to use 1 kWh Observed Time: it took 3 minutes to use 1 kWh

Test 2 on Smart Meter # 93394135 (Landis & Gyr type ALF) Applying 90.3 amps at 119 volts results in a 10.7 KW load. With this given load, it should take 5.6 minutes to use 1 kWh Observed Time: it took 3 minutes to use 1 kWh

Conclusions

Based on the tests performed and a comprehensive audit of the meters programmed with the computer containing the incorrect meter multiplier, only three meters were found to contain a CT Multiplier of 2. Two of those meters were tested at Mr. Jackson's home, and the third was installed elsewhere on the system. As of July 9, 2009, the CT multiplier has been corrected on all three meters. The data error has been corrected, the Smart Meters have been confirmed to record kWh correctly, the kWh usage will be correctly adjusted for this account and this negates any further action.

PG&E’s sincerely regrets this error and the inconvenience it has caused our valued customer.